Mags L Halliday
@magslhalliday.bsky.social
Writer. Waffler. Former redhead.
Occasional public sector comms person. All views my own.
She/Her.
Please use alt text on images.
www.magslhalliday.co.uk or https://linktr.ee/magslhalliday
Occasional public sector comms person. All views my own.
She/Her.
Please use alt text on images.
www.magslhalliday.co.uk or https://linktr.ee/magslhalliday
Pinned
a woman is talking to a man in a room and asking him if he reads every one of these books .
Alt: Belle, a beautiful woman, is talking to a man who is a beast. They’re in his library, and she is asking him if he has read every one of the books.
media.tenor.com
It’s the 2025 “books I’ve read” thread.
I made a mistake and had three non-fiction books on the go at once. This always slows me right down.
I made a mistake and had three non-fiction books on the go at once. This always slows me right down.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Presented without comment.
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Presented without comment.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Even more reason to keep this institution from succumbing to a decade's long attack from the right wing whose strategy is to create an environment where the rest of us hate it enough to accept its demise - the exact same playbook used against the NHS
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Even more reason to keep this institution from succumbing to a decade's long attack from the right wing whose strategy is to create an environment where the rest of us hate it enough to accept its demise - the exact same playbook used against the NHS
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Gull activity high Exmouth, Dawlish, Bournemouth, Scarborough. Goths low Whitby.
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
November 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Gull activity high Exmouth, Dawlish, Bournemouth, Scarborough. Goths low Whitby.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 PM
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
A lifelong "dress reformer", she wore trousers under short dresses and eventually switched to trousers and jackets. She was frequently arrested for her choice.
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A lifelong "dress reformer", she wore trousers under short dresses and eventually switched to trousers and jackets. She was frequently arrested for her choice.
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
This woman is one of my top 5 from the hundreds we have on Carve Her Name.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
#OnThisDay, 11 Nov 1865, Dr Mary Edwards Walker receives the Medal of Honor from US President Andrew Johnson for her services as a field surgeon in the American Civil War.
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #WomenInWar #AmericanHistory 🗃️
1/3
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #WomenInWar #AmericanHistory 🗃️
1/3
November 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
This woman is one of my top 5 from the hundreds we have on Carve Her Name.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
The worst thing about flags and poppies being stolen as performative tokens by cunts, is the implication that the members of my own family who fought and died over the last century or so were corned-beef nostalgists who mainly climbed into Lancasters and foxholes to stick it to the libs.
November 11, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The worst thing about flags and poppies being stolen as performative tokens by cunts, is the implication that the members of my own family who fought and died over the last century or so were corned-beef nostalgists who mainly climbed into Lancasters and foxholes to stick it to the libs.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’
Black and Asian staff left feeling ‘deliberately intimidated’, according to chief executive of one NHS trust
NHS staff who care for patients in their own homes fear some areas have become “no-go zones” for them because of the presence of St George’s flags, health leaders have said.
Black and Asian staff have been left feeling “deliberately intimidated” as a result of the flags that were put up in many parts of England during the summer, according to the chief executive of one NHS trust in England, who asked to remain anonymous. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
This is great news: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n.... Not least because it removes one of the common denialist retorts “what’s the point if China aren’t doing it” - they clearly are and so should we
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
This is great news: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n.... Not least because it removes one of the common denialist retorts “what’s the point if China aren’t doing it” - they clearly are and so should we
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
What bothers me is that impartiality and balance are two different and incompatible things. Impartiality means that you don't intervene to put your thumb on the scales. Balance necessarily requires that you intervene to artificially make every issue look like a 50/50.
November 10, 2025 at 10:49 AM
What bothers me is that impartiality and balance are two different and incompatible things. Impartiality means that you don't intervene to put your thumb on the scales. Balance necessarily requires that you intervene to artificially make every issue look like a 50/50.
Do I know anyone who knows much about underwater archaeology?
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
November 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Do I know anyone who knows much about underwater archaeology?
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
“Finding things on the internet to ‘hate read’ is a way of feeling great about yourself because you’re not as stupid and wrong as those other people.”
inspired by this, I have done a free extract of this section of the book here. it is about understanding that *with all its problems* the BBC is as important for our intellectual health as the NHS is for our physical health:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
“Finding things on the internet to ‘hate read’ is a way of feeling great about yourself because you’re not as stupid and wrong as those other people.”
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
![Cartoon by Stephen Collins for The Guardian. Script as follows:
[scene is Winston Churchill in a bbc studio, giving his 'finest hour' speech]
1
CHURCHILL:
The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.
2
CHURCHILL:
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war.
3
CHURCHILL:
If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free
and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sun-
BBC PRESENTER:
Thank you prime minister
4
BBC PRESENTER:
Mr hitler, your response?
5
HITLER [in the studio]:
Vell zis is hysterical woke nonsense as usual from mr Churchill
6
HITLER:
What we are proposing -
CHURCHILL:
Hang on
7
HITLER:
Let me finish - what we are proposing eez a simple power-sharing arrangement -
8
CHURCHILL:
What's he doing here
BBC PRESENTER:
It's important we hear both sides of the debate
9
CHURCHILL:
This isn't a debate
You don't debate fascists
10
HITLER:
Oh here we go with ze Godwins law!
11
HITLER:
Why must you people always compare ze things you don't like to 'fascists, Nazis, Hitler'...
CHURCHILL:
Because you are a fascist Nazi Hit-
12
HITLER [standing up, saluting]:
RAUSS!
BBC PRESENTER:
*Please* Mr Churchill let him speak
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibw4ldc3fhslbvxgy2oqrof2oys5kpgh7zu6a5f3usmx3lf4547qm@jpeg)
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
I'm guessing the BBC 'scandal' has been big on X this week as this was the first I had heard of it...
November 9, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I'm guessing the BBC 'scandal' has been big on X this week as this was the first I had heard of it...
My BBC DG manifesto.
1. CBeebies and CBBC to get two hours on BBC1, from 4 to 6pm so old people get to see something that isn’t about property or tat in the attic. Because not everything has a price, Auntie Joan.
1. CBeebies and CBBC to get two hours on BBC1, from 4 to 6pm so old people get to see something that isn’t about property or tat in the attic. Because not everything has a price, Auntie Joan.
November 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
My BBC DG manifesto.
1. CBeebies and CBBC to get two hours on BBC1, from 4 to 6pm so old people get to see something that isn’t about property or tat in the attic. Because not everything has a price, Auntie Joan.
1. CBeebies and CBBC to get two hours on BBC1, from 4 to 6pm so old people get to see something that isn’t about property or tat in the attic. Because not everything has a price, Auntie Joan.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Me, giggling like a goblin, strapping myself into the BBC Boss chair, commissioning non-celeb sitcom & sketch show after another. High concept narrative comedies by women! 100 shows with writers rooms! Tell whatever celeb blokes are doing a travel show they can make their own way back from Bordeaux!
November 9, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Me, giggling like a goblin, strapping myself into the BBC Boss chair, commissioning non-celeb sitcom & sketch show after another. High concept narrative comedies by women! 100 shows with writers rooms! Tell whatever celeb blokes are doing a travel show they can make their own way back from Bordeaux!
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Putting my hat in the ring for the BBC Director General job.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
November 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Putting my hat in the ring for the BBC Director General job.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
The BBC needs someone experienced enough to run a huge media org, and willing to take a job with no security. They need to know the BBC well enough to do the job, but not be an “insider”. They need to somehow be acceptable to a Lab government but also right-wing papers.
This person doesn’t exist.
This person doesn’t exist.
November 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The BBC needs someone experienced enough to run a huge media org, and willing to take a job with no security. They need to know the BBC well enough to do the job, but not be an “insider”. They need to somehow be acceptable to a Lab government but also right-wing papers.
This person doesn’t exist.
This person doesn’t exist.
The quoted goat and image is from 2024*.
Sergeant Bill of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, who served in WW1 and was court-marshalled twice, would like a word.**
1/2
Sergeant Bill of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, who served in WW1 and was court-marshalled twice, would like a word.**
1/2
November 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The quoted goat and image is from 2024*.
Sergeant Bill of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, who served in WW1 and was court-marshalled twice, would like a word.**
1/2
Sergeant Bill of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, who served in WW1 and was court-marshalled twice, would like a word.**
1/2
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
“What it is it we’re remembering when we engage in what seem like ever more frenetic and extravagant displays of poppy fervour each year? Is this really, sincerely, something that’s about honouring the UK’s veterans of more recent wars, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere? Is the focus on them?”
First the flag. Now the poppy
A sombre display of remembrance is being weaponised and policed by nationalists
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“What it is it we’re remembering when we engage in what seem like ever more frenetic and extravagant displays of poppy fervour each year? Is this really, sincerely, something that’s about honouring the UK’s veterans of more recent wars, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere? Is the focus on them?”
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
The reason I'm reluctant to concede Remembrance Sunday and the symbol of the poppy to jingoistic scolds and nationalistic chauvinists is that I'm old enough to remember the generation who experienced the horrors of 1914-45. Nothing disrespects them more than what many are trying to turn today into.
I recall around 1990 an elderly supply teacher explaining to my class what war is actually like, macho mythology aside. The sound bullets make. Men crying for their mummys as they die on the battlefield. It's haunted me ever since, and certainly played a role in politicising me.
As a teen or young adult in the 1990s you had constant encounters with people in their 50s-80s who were combatants, victims or perpetrators during catastrophes of the mid-20th century
That direct link to realities of Nazism and other forms of oppression such as Stalinism or colonialism is now gone
That direct link to realities of Nazism and other forms of oppression such as Stalinism or colonialism is now gone
November 9, 2025 at 9:21 AM
The reason I'm reluctant to concede Remembrance Sunday and the symbol of the poppy to jingoistic scolds and nationalistic chauvinists is that I'm old enough to remember the generation who experienced the horrors of 1914-45. Nothing disrespects them more than what many are trying to turn today into.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
If Funko goes down, Forbidden Planet goes down btw
Funko admits “substantial doubt” it can continue as a going concern amid crashing sales and mounting debt.
The Pop! maker warns of potential loan defaults without fresh funding or a buyout, after a 14% sales drop and $250M in obligations.
#Funko #PopVinyl #GoingConcern
The Pop! maker warns of potential loan defaults without fresh funding or a buyout, after a 14% sales drop and $250M in obligations.
#Funko #PopVinyl #GoingConcern
November 9, 2025 at 10:26 AM
If Funko goes down, Forbidden Planet goes down btw
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
I am not a goth.
Okay, so I wear only black clothes, listen to The Sisters of Mercy and other goth bands a lot, and am generally gloomy, but I am not a goth!
I'm just from Leeds.
Okay, so I wear only black clothes, listen to The Sisters of Mercy and other goth bands a lot, and am generally gloomy, but I am not a goth!
I'm just from Leeds.
November 8, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I am not a goth.
Okay, so I wear only black clothes, listen to The Sisters of Mercy and other goth bands a lot, and am generally gloomy, but I am not a goth!
I'm just from Leeds.
Okay, so I wear only black clothes, listen to The Sisters of Mercy and other goth bands a lot, and am generally gloomy, but I am not a goth!
I'm just from Leeds.